This summer sees the launch of a new ocean racing series on Sydney's Northern
Beaches known as the Fenn Cup Ocean Series. This series will put Sydney's
ocean racing on the international stage and bring some of Australia's best ocean
paddlers and athletes together.
Names such as Heyley Bateup, Caine Eckstein, Naomi Flood, Tony
Schumacher, Jeremy Cotter, Tim Jacobs, Dave Kissane, Murray Stewart, Nathan
Smith, Yanda Nossiter, Dean Gardiner, Ky Hurst, Grant Kenny, Guy Leech,
David Smith, Matt Ree, Kristy Holmes and more. It is even possible you might
see Kenny Wallace and Clint Robinson our two Olympic Gold Kayaker's going at
it. Why you ask has such an impressive field signed up for this series?
Race organises, Long Reef SLSC in conjunction with Oceanpaddler.com are
proud to announce that the Fenn Cup Ocean Series will be offering over
$50,000 in cash and prizes. This will make the Fenn Cup the richest ocean
paddling series in Australian history.
So much so that we might even attract some South Africans such as Dawid
Mocke, Hank McGregor or some bloke called Oscar..

The series is to be held over 3 weekends
1. Saturday 26th September, 2009
2. Saturday 31st October, 2009
3. Saturday 2nd January, 2010
4. Sunday 3rd January, "The Twist" 10am
All races are downwind and will range from 19-21 kilometers. Each event will
either start or finish at Long Reef depending on the days conditions. With a 3pm
start (with the exception of race 4) the events are certain to have good swell
making for exciting offshore racing.
Competitors will be informed of the direction and starting point the morning of the
event. The series is open to every type of paddle craft including, ocean racing
skis, SLSA skis, doubles and OC1s.
President of Long Reef SLSC Doug Lucas says, 'It has been a lot of work getting
the series off the ground but I am now just so excited with the race only weeks
away. Tell me another sport where an everyday competitor can get an
opportunity to compete or line up so closely with Olympians, ironmen and other
high performance stars.' Dean Gardiner has put so much into the sport in
bringing it to Australia and it is a privilege for Long Reef SLSC to be co-hosting
the race series with him."
Long Reef SLSC has a proud tradition in beach and water safety with Doug
himself a former Australian Lifesaver of the Year. Doug says, 'We will focus
strongly on safety having 9 IRB's and other boats looking after competitors
during the race, ensuring they enjoy their racing experience.'
For those not so keen to undertake the entire down-wind race a shorter racing
series has also been established to allow paddlers to get the taste of the sport
and grow their skills. The 'Skoda Challenge' will commence at 1pm and will
consist of an 8 kilometre course. This race is open to all paddlers including those
using plastic style boats.
The massive prize pool will be split amongst winners as well as other
competitors. Series prize money will be given for top 10 in opens, over 40's and
top 5 in over 50's. Long Reef SLSC encourages all standards of paddlers to
enter the entire series as all competitors entering the series will also be eligible
for numerous lucky door prizes including, 2 x Fenn ocean skis, 1 x AK Charger
Spec SLS ski, Rhino Roof Racks, numerous Fitness First gym memberships,
numerous Garmin Forerunner GPS watches, Pro Kayak Paddle vouchers and
much more.

Entries are now open. For more information go to www.longreef.com